Astrid Mendoza, a native of El Salvador and a trafficking survivor, reacts as she receives a green card, obtained with the help of Catholic Charities' Immigration Legal Services in Portland, Ore. CNS photo/courtesy Oregon Catholic Charities

Those on path to legal immigration face roadblock on public funds

WASHINGTON –
The Trump administration announced Aug. 12 a plan to deny permanent
legal immigration status for those who use public funds such as food
stamps or public housing.

The news came as no surprise as administration officials had been
publicly discussing for months instituting a "public charge" policy that
would hurt immigrants' chances at permanent residency, citizenship and
even threatened deportation for those who sign up for public benefits.

The National Immigration Law Center said the term "public charge" in
immigration law refers to "a person who is primarily dependent on the
government for support," and explained the new rule "would broaden the
definition of who is to be considered a public charge so that it
includes immigrants who use one or more government programs listed in
the proposed rule."

Though immigrants have had to prove self-sufficiency to obtain
permanent residency, the expansion of the definition would add a hurdle
for some.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops had long argued against it
and in September 2018 said such action would "prevent families from
accessing important medical and social services vital to public health
and welfare."

The chairmen of two USCCB committees reiterated the bishops' opposition to the proposed rule in an Aug. 13 statement.

"We have already seen the culture of fear that the anticipation of
this rule has created in our communities. Ultimately, we believe that
this rule is in tension with the dignity of the person and the common
good that all of us are called to support," said Bishop Joe S. Vasquez
of Austin, Texas, chairman of the Committee on Migration, and Bishop
Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Fla., chairman of the Committee on Domestic
Justice and Human Development.

The new policy is set to take effect in 60 days, but it will likely be challenged in court.

"Through the public charge rule, President (Donald) Trump's
administration is reinforcing the ideals of self-sufficiency and
personal responsibility, ensuring that immigrants are able to support
themselves and become successful here in America," said Ken Cuccinelli,
acting director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, during a
White House briefing Aug. 12.

Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc. in a statement following the
announcement said the policy "is a direct assault on the American
immigration system and threatens one of its core principles: family
unity."

Since the rule had been expected and because of the "great fear and
anxiety" it caused, some immigrant families had refrained from asking
for needed government help for health care, food and housing, said Anna
Gallagher, the organization's executive director.

"This strategy to suppress family immigration has significant public
health and safety implications as families worry about meeting new
financial hurdles," she added.

The Christian nonprofit Bread for the World said the new rule would
affect the health and well-being of millions of lawful residents. Jane
Adams, the organization's senior domestic policy analyst, said those
impacted include children who are citizens but who were born to
immigrant parents.

"Families will be forced to make the impossible choice of putting
food on the table and staying together legally in the country," she said
in an Aug. 12 statement.

"The rule is already having a chilling effect on children and
families and it hasn’t even gone into effect," she said. "The Bible is
clear that God wants us to be generous and welcoming to all people,
specifically immigrants. We oppose the administration’s decision and
urge them to immediately withdraw this rule."

In separate statements, Catholic Charities USA, Lutheran Immigration
and Refugee Service and the Catholic Health Association also strongly
objected to the public charge rule.

The Diocese of Trenton is committed to the initiatives outlined
in the U.S. Bishop’s Charter for the Protection of Children and
Young People in regard to the reporting and investigation of
sexual abuse allegations involving minors.

If you have been sexually abused as a minor by a member of
the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or if you
know of someone who was, you can report that abuse through
the diocesan Abuse Hotline.

To report the sexual abuse of minors call our hotline
1-888-296-2965 or email us at abuseline@dioceseoftrenton.org

Please note: The Diocese of Trenton reports any allegations of sexual abuse to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.
Anyone with an allegation is also encouraged to provide that information to local law enforcement authorities.